topic Re: Remembering February 3, 1959 in Community Chat

Remembering February 3, 1959

maisiebrook — Sat, 03 Feb 2024 22:22:03 GMT

Known as "the day the music died" when a plane crash killed Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper, the greats of early rock and roll.

I remember it well. It was a cold and rainy night in northern NJ and I was at my dad's pizza place. Sad customers dropped by and put a coin in the jukebox and played one of their songs.

Just a childhood memory worth commemorating which I have not forgotten.

Re: Remembering February 3, 1959

spiderw — Sat, 03 Feb 2024 23:01:58 GMT

I remember the day well. For all of us who were young and loved rock and roll and the music of that era, it was a very sad day. All three had hits and appeared on TV. Buddy Holly was truly talented and ahead of his time in the music world. Even today there are musicians who honor his talent. Sadly since then we have lost quite a few musicians from plane crashes. But the day Ritchie Valens, Big Bopper and Buddy Holly died, it truly was sad for me , I was young and I believe that might have been the first tragedy of the music world that I was part of.

Re: Remembering February 3, 1959

chrystaltree — Sat, 03 Feb 2024 23:07:54 GMT

It was before I was born but I have read about it.

Re: Remembering February 3, 1959

50Mickey — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 22:02:38 GMT

There is a movie about the death of Richie Valens, the Big Bopper and Buddy Holly that came out a number of years ago, La Bamba. And the song the Day the Music Died/ Miss American Pie speaks of this. It was a real tragedy.

Re: Remembering February 3, 1959

Enufstuff — Sat, 03 Feb 2024 23:43:26 GMT

@maisiebrook I certainly remember that day, so sad.

What a tragic loss of life and talent.

I was 11 years old and listened to the radio, whenever I was at home. My grandmother had bought my first record for me, a 45 by Richie Valens. The big hit on that record was La Bamba, but I got it for the flip side, Donna, because that is my name.

He was so young and most likely would have had a great music career, if he had lived.

The other singers that I liked and we so sadly lost in later years

were Ricky Nelson, Jim Croce and John Denver.

Re: Remembering February 3, 1959

Cakers3 — Sat, 03 Feb 2024 23:51:34 GMT

La Bamba. 1987

Re: Remembering February 3, 1959

Zwervend — Sat, 03 Feb 2024 23:57:36 GMT

Although I've heard plenty about it, I don't remember anything about that day. I was busy being born, right around the time that the crash happened.

Re: Remembering February 3, 1959

On It — Sun, 04 Feb 2024 00:11:58 GMT

I was in the school cafeteria lunch line when someone came up to us crying and told us about the crash. I could not comprehend what had happened. I remember feeling disoriented the remainder of the day.

Re: Remembering February 3, 1959

piperbay — Sun, 04 Feb 2024 00:21:28 GMT

A local radio station here is remembering this sad day. I think they said that the plane crashed within five minutes of taking off and Waylon Jennings gave his seat away to

Big Bopper.

Re: Remembering February 3, 1959

OKPrincess — Sun, 04 Feb 2024 01:38:54 GMT

I was 5 yr old so I don't remember anything of that day.

But I can only imagine the pain of losing them because I know the devestation I felt the day Elvis died.

Love watching The Buddy Holly Story and La Bamba.

Re: Remembering February 3, 1959

catwoman48 — Sun, 04 Feb 2024 03:29:33 GMT

After all these years, I remember it well. I was in 4th grade in the Deep South. Popular music - especially rock ‘n roll - was very important to us even at that tender age. We were allowed to sing popular songs after lunch in the classroom, the hits on TV (the weekly “Hit Parade,” a lot of saucy black music redone mostly poorly by white artists) and radio. Everyone loved Richie Valens, the Big Bopper and especially Buddy Holly. There was a lot of crying that day at school. And we all went home and listened to our records, sadly. Things were never the same. Their impact on music cannot be overestimated.

Re: Remembering February 3, 1959

just bee — Sun, 04 Feb 2024 04:05:32 GMT

Re: Remembering February 3, 1959

just bee — Sun, 04 Feb 2024 04:20:04 GMT

Highly recommend The Buddy Holly Story with Gary Busey.

He died the year I was born and I still listen to his music today.

Re: Remembering February 3, 1959

SueyMsB — Sun, 04 Feb 2024 04:31:03 GMT

I wasn't born yet but imagine it must have been a sad day in music history.

Re: Remembering February 3, 1959

Scooby Doo — Sun, 04 Feb 2024 04:43:31 GMT

@Enufstuff wrote:
@maisiebrook I certainly remember that day, so sad.
What a tragic loss of life and talent.

I was 11 years old and listened to the radio, whenever I was at home. My grandmother had bought my first record for me, a 45 by Richie Valens. The big hit on that record was La Bamba, but I got it for the flip side, Donna, because that is my name.

He was so young and most likely would have had a great music career, if he had lived.

The other singers that I liked and we so sadly lost in later years
were Ricky Nelson, Jim Croce and John Denver.

So many others that died in plane crashes. Lynyrd Skynyrd, Patsy Cline, Otis Redding, Aaliyah, and Reba McEntire's band.

Re: Remembering February 3, 1959

Cakers3 — Sun, 04 Feb 2024 14:59:02 GMT

We visited the Buddy Holly Center in Lubbock TX on our way back from vacation one time. There is a huge pair of his signature eyeglasses outside🤓

There is also the Buddy Holly Center for the Performing Arts in Lubbock.

His influence on future musicians reaches far and wide.

I also have few songs on my iPod which still works.lol

Interesting that Waylon Jennings gave his seat to the Big Bopper and Richie Valens won his seat in a coin toss with Alsup.

The tour bus had lacked heat so the fateful flight took place.